Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Ill effects of running a rear brake on the front?

I have an older Dura Ace Rear Brake, Can I expect any problems if I put it on the front?

As far as I am aware, there shouldn't be a problem so long as you can swap a longer bolt into the brake so it fits the fork.

All brakes are inherently the same. The only difference, as FD mentioned, is the length of the bolt.

I have two front brake set-ups, both ultegra, one rear and one front. Just need to size the bolt for the fork.

Sort of on topic: are there any ill effects of mount brakes backwards? (behind the fork or inside the rear triangle, assuming adequate clearance). I saw a pic of a space track bike recently with the front brake behind the fork, but it was a full on custom job, so I'm not sure how a regular caliper would stand up... I'd assume it would work fine but maybe the angles would get thrown off or something.

No worries. I have an old Shimano Exage rear brake that performs much better that the Dia Compe front it replaced. I just have to do a little fiddling to get the nut in place inside the steer tube (rather than on the back side). I have thousands of miles on that particular setup.

There are problem solver bolts out there that will extend your brake's bolt or you can disassemble the brake and use the bolt from a front brake if it really bothers you.

Sort of on topic: are there any ill effects of mount brakes backwards? (behind the fork or inside the rear triangle, assuming adequate clearance). I saw a pic of a space track bike recently with the front brake behind the fork, but it was a full on custom job, so I'm not sure how a regular caliper would stand up... I'd assume it would work fine but maybe the angles would get thrown off or something.

is this what youre talking about: http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/giro05/tech/?id=wilier

i was also thinking about trying that out for kicks.
i can't think of any ill effects.
any one have thoughts?

is this what youre talking about: http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/giro05/tech/?id=wilier

i was also thinking about trying that out for kicks.
i can't think of any ill effects.
any one have thoughts?

During the actual time trial I noticed that his brake had been moved to the front of the fork. Maybe the rear position caused steering issues (even though the course was straight).

Jim

i can't think of any ill effects.
any one have thoughts?

Try making a sharp left turn.

Try making a sharp left turn.

ha.
right.
ok, 1 ill effect.
but who NEEDS left turns when 3 right turns will do the trick.

Sort of on topic: are there any ill effects of mount brakes backwards? (behind the fork or inside the rear triangle, assuming adequate clearance). I saw a pic of a space track bike recently with the front brake behind the fork, but it was a full on custom job, so I'm not sure how a regular caliper would stand up... I'd assume it would work fine but maybe the angles would get thrown off or something.

It seems as this setup might actually make your braking more effective, because the brake 'wants' to be pushed into the fork crown by the braking forces, rather than pulled away by the braking forces if it were in the front.
Or I could be wrong.

makes catastophe less likely if the nut holding it all together comes loose...

until you release the brake ofcourse... but i'd rather it happened then, than 30 seconds earlier.

fsnl
sparky

I saw a kid cruise by the window at work the other day, he had two brakes mounted in the front fork; one on each side of the crown. It looked awesome, but I couldn't get a close look. I'm thinking about trying it on my next build.

can anyone think of a way to avoid the cable interference with the down tube?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/giro05/tech/?id=wilier/dscn0016

I have an older Dura Ace Rear Brake, Can I expect any problems if I put it on the front?

There could be a serious problem depending on the year of the brakes.

On my DA 9 speed the shoes have replaceable cartridges and they are front and rear specific so that the replaceable rubber insert is always pushed into the metal holder by the braking force and slides out in the opposite direction. There is a set screw holding the rubber pad in but it just locks into rubber. If I reversed mine and the set screw was not tight the braking force would pull the rubber pads right out. The instruction for the calipers warn about this problem.

I don't know what "older" means. Take a look at the pads and see if they can slide out of the holder in one direction.

Run the cable from below by switching the clamp nut and barrel adjuster around (if it's possible to do with your brakes).

There could be a serious problem depending on the year of the brakes.

On my DA 9 speed the shoes have replaceable cartridges and they are front and rear specific so that the replaceable rubber insert is always pushed into the metal holder by the braking force and slides out in the opposite direction. There is a set screw holding the rubber pad in but it just locks into rubber. If I reversed mine and the set screw was not tight the braking force would pull the rubber pads right out. The instruction for the calipers warn about this problem.

I don't know what "older" means. Take a look at the pads and see if they can slide out of the holder in one direction.

Couldn't you swap the shoes to the opposite caliper arms.

Couldn't you swap the shoes to the opposite caliper arms.

Yes, as long as one is aware of the need.

Run the cable from below by switching the clamp nut and barrel adjuster around (if it's possible to do with your brakes).


yeah, not possible on my brakes.
also, i feel as if that long loop of cable hanging down would spoil the clean look that hiding the brake behind the fork would provide. aw well.